Shawn B

Thanks, I was trying very hard to be tactful and nice. Not exactly my strong suits.

I have read nearly everything ever posted on the SR20 forums concerning suspensions. Not to mention every magazine article on our platforms (B13 and B14 primarily) suspension options.

The Hyperco's and RM's are universally praised as excellent aftermarket springs. That fact does not change with Veilsides opinion as stated, which is why I am trying to pin him down to specifics.

A couple of things to remember:

1) Veilside is very, very, suspension educated and therefore ultra-picky about suspensions. He has tons of experience with a variety of suspensions. Just because he likes the CSK/GC coilover set-up better than the Hyperco's does not discount the Hyperco's. Steve (98sr20ve) also likes the CSK/GC set-up the best, and he thinks it is the best suspension value for your average Joe.

2) I would argue that the Hyperco's and RM's are still excellent, even superb, aftermarket springs. Compared to all the other (bullsh*t) aftermarket springs that are out there on the market for any and all vehicles. The Hyperco's and RM's being Thee Only Two (2) conventional springs that are worthy of our vehicles. And the two (2) that were designed with compromise in mind to work with either OEM length or shortened struts. Both designed to be an "all around, general" excellent spring. Not an "application specific" spring.

3) Just because Veilside (IMO an expert) notices a difference between CSK/Hyperco and CSK/GC in a back-to-back comparison does not mean that I could. And IF I could, would the difference really matter to me in my daily driving? (Maybe, someday, in an autocross?) I currently have zero need to raise, lower, or "play with" my suspension, nor do I think I would even have the expertise to do so effectively and with positive results.

I am going to "pick apart" his remarks, not to jump on Veilside nor disregard his opinion, just to absolutely clarify his remarks. I respect the man 100%, and know for damn sure that he has waaaaaay more knowledge and experience than do I. It ain't even close.

"Little"? Define "little". Would this be very noticable to your average dude (me) during daily-driving?

Compared back-to-back with the GC equipped vehicle, that has spring rates 140 pounds stronger in the front and 200 pounds stronger in the rear.

How about compared to stock? Or any other conventional aftermarket spring for our cars? A back to back with the RM's would be ideal.

"Night and day" for what exact purpose? Running around town, autocross, road racing?

"Hardly any more harsh"? From what I can gather, the CSK/Hyperco set-up is very, very, comfortable. Near stock levels of comfort. How much comfort is given up in the pursuit of absolute precision with the CSK/GC set-up? Would an old-fart (with creaky bones) notice the increase in harshness when upgrading (yes, upgrading.....$$$) to the GC set-up?

Besides the obvious differences in the spring rates GC 440/400 vs Hyperco300/200.....

How do those Koni's affect the performance of the two suspensions?

How stiff is the ST sways vs. Progress sways, and would that factor affect ride quality or harshness?

Would GC in a 300/200 rate also feel more precise, less "mushy and unresponsive" with "better initial turn-in" than the Hypercos? Do you think that the RM's, which are a linear rate (300/200) would be more akin to the GC set-up or the Hyperco springs? Ie...is the progressive rate spring inherently a more....vague feeling spring than a linear rate spring?

Does "mushy" also mean less jarring over road imperfections?

Were there any differences in the bracing, bushings, or strut mounts between the two vehicles? Was either vehicle ever in an accident?

What is the financial difference between the CSK/Hyperco set-up and the CSK/GC set-up if someone built the CSK's themselves? What is the difference in price if someone (like me, mechanically inept) paid someone like you (or Steve) to build me a set of CSK's in either configuration, for the GC's, or Hyperco/RM conventional springs?

Now...once Veilside answers all my questions, then and only then, can someone make an honest evaluation of whether or not it is worth the extra money to them, in order to upgrade ($$$) from the Hyperco's to the GC sleeves. All other things being equal.

And Veilside, you KNOW that I am not picking on you or your highly-valued opinion on our suspensions. I want the answers, because of your expertise and ability to translate "suspension feel" to dollars and sense (spelled just the way I spelled it, on purpose.)

__________________
2004 Tahoe, stock and fully loaded.
'93 Classic - R.I.P. 2007 My mechanical companion. Operation Resuscitation underway....

* The best offense is a good psychosis. *